Lesson From Roosevelt Home Pays Off In Consignment Shop

May 28, 1986|By Tom Pinnock of The Sentinel Staff

CASSELBERRY — Thanks to Theodore Roosevelt's family, Estelle Campo was a well-dressed youngster when she was growing up. And thanks to one of the 26th president's two daughters, Campo and her daughter, Sharon Rutherford, now have a thriving clothing business in Casselberry.

Campo's mother worked as a housekeeper for Roosevelt's oldest daughter, Alice, at her Long Island Home. Alice was a generous woman, and was forever giving the housekeeper her daughter's used skirts and blouses, shoes and hats.

''But I didn't mind because they were nice clothes and I always looked good.''

It was an unforgettable lesson, and one that has since been paying off.

In October, Campo and Rutherford opened a clothing resale shop in the Wilshire Plaza, one mile east of U.S. Highway 17-92 on State Road 436. It is a neat shop where clothing and accessories are purchased and accepted on consignment.

The shop is 1,000 square feet but another 1,000-square-foot section will be added in two weeks, Campo said.

''We've done so well in such a short period of time that we've decided to expand,'' Campo says with obvious pride.

''If things keep going well we might even open another shop for men.''

Just inside the front door is an oak jewelry case containing 50s jewelry, fur collars, and even snakeskin accessories. A quick look around and a shopper can see everything from furs to formals to bikinis to blazers.

Though the business is now centered on women's wear, it will soon offer used children's clothing and a ritzy section. Campo says Rutherford's Ritz will feature furs, formals and wedding gowns.

The reason for the store's success, says Campo, is because of rising clothing prices.

''Clothes keep going up, but quality isn't going up with them,'' she says. ''When you buy used clothing you can look rich without being rich.''